District Newsletter

September 2025

www.usd450.net

We are also excited to introduce a new way for families to stay informed and connected with our schools through T-Bird Talks. Beginning this year, we will host an information night each semester focused on a timely district topic. These sessions will highlight areas such as academic programs, early childhood learning, school safety, or other initiatives important to our community. Our first T-Bird Talks will be held Tuesday, October 28th at 6:00p.m.

To help guide the topics, we invite you to share your input through a short survey. Your feedback will ensure T-Bird Talks reflect the interests of our families. T-Bird Talks Parent Survey

Thank you for your support of Shawnee Heights Public Schools!

Sheila Meggers
Superintendent

Learn more about our November bond on our website www.usd450.net or join us at one of our upcoming town hall meetings.

• September 29, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the Berryton Elementary Cafeteria

• October 14, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the Shawnee Heights Middle School Library

• October 27, 2025, at 6:00 pm in the Shawnee Heights Elementary Cafeteria

During the 2025–2026 school year, Shawnee Heights launched a new math curriculum for Kindergarten through Algebra I: enVision Mathematics by SAVVAS.

Why the Change?

In 2024-2025, a team of 45 teachers from across the district formed a Math Curriculum Review Committee. Together, they reviewed 11 different math programs across elementary, middle, and high school. After analyzing student performance data and aligning with the Kansas State Math Standards, the committee recommended enVision Mathematics as the best fit for our students.

In May 2025, the Board of Education approved this recommendation, and we began using the new curriculum district-wide this school year.

What’s Included for Students?

• Student Workbook: Each student received a Student Companion Workbook for note-taking and practice.

• Digital Access: Students can log in through ClassLink on their school devices to access lessons and materials online.

• Language Options: Digital content is available in English and Spanish.

How Families Can Stay Engaged

Each grade level has a Family Engagement link with resources to help families support learning at home, including:

• Overviews of math topics and how they connect to other concepts

• Instructional videos

• Games and activities to reinforce learning

• Teacher-provided topic or lesson-specific links (as needed)

Below you will find general family links for the entire list of topics for each grade level:

Family Engagement Links

• Kindergarten Family Engagement

• 1st Grade Family Engagement

• 2nd Grade Family Engagement

• 3rd Grade Family Engagement

• 4th Grade Family Engagement

• 5th Grade Family Engagement

• 6th Grade Family Engagement

• 7th Grade Family Engagement

• 7th Grade Accelerated Family Engagement

• 8th Grade Family Engagement

• Algebra I Family Engagement

NOTE: The links will take students and families to a page in English.  For Grades K-5, Spanish can be selected in the upper right-hand corner.

The Shawnee Heights Public Schools Foundation held its annual Golf Tournament on August 1, 2025, raising more than $15,700 to support students and teachers across the district.

Teachers are already submitting grant requests, and the Foundation is excited to award recipients in the coming days. Contributions to the Foundation make these teacher grants and student scholarships possible, providing classrooms with resources and opportunities that truly make a difference.

The Foundation invites the community to its Annual Foundation Breakfast on October 13, 2025, where grant recipients will showcase their projects. For more information, visit www.shawneeheightsfoundation.net

This year we proudly recognized our staff for their years of dedication to Shawnee Heights. Service awards are given in five-year milestones, honoring the commitment and longevity of our teachers and staff who make a lasting difference in our schools and community.

Showing up matters. Research shows that students who attend school regularly are more likely to build strong academic skills, form lasting friendships, and develop the habits that set them up for future success. Even missing just a few days can add up quickly, making it harder for students to stay on track.

Life happens, illnesses, appointments, and family needs are real. But we encourage families to help students be present and on time whenever possible. When students are here, they’re learning, connecting, and growing.

If your child will be absent or late, please call the school’s attendance line to let us know. Thank you for helping us support your child’s success!

Now, community members can have our District Newsletter sent directly to their inbox! Fill out this quick form to stay connected with our district's latest updates and happenings by receiving the District Newsletter in your email.

Sheila Meggers, Superintendent

Matt Hirsch, Associate Superintendent

Board of Education

Erica Price - President

Sarah Sanders - Vice President

Rocky Busenitz

Rosa Cavazos

Christina Flaming

Lauren Tice Miller

Kristy VanMetre